A Fond Farewell
Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2021 10:09 am
A cold blast of air enters the open door and Quincannon looks up from his work packing up bottles as a familiar grey bearded face enters the bar. “A sad day it is general,” he says as he brings a bottle and glass over to the general’s table. “Yes indeed, sergeant.” The general replies as he takes off his overcoat and sits down. “Not many here this evening. I guess everyone is off to their new assignment.” the general says. “Sit down sergeant and have a last drink with me, you can get back to your packing in a bit.”
“I’m in the mood to reminiscence a bit and would welcome the company. It’s been 22 years since I entered the Academy about this time of the year. I’ve spent most of that time here with the AotS and have had the good fortune to serve with many fine officers. You’ll recall we were assigned to 1/2/XIX AotS, the first brigade mustered in that division and after we had cut our way through several rebel officers Gen. Sean Reynolds dubbed the ‘Allegheny Blues’ The Terrible Swift Sword. Then I was asked to form the 3/XIX and later had the privilege of forming the VIII Corps and commanding it for its first three years. In my opinion that was the best Corps in the Union Army and the original 2/VIII “Corcoran’s Legion” will probably never be equaled both for its individual and division battle honors as well as providing commanders at division, corps, and army levels. Gen. Walter would go on to be COA and Gen. Perrenod CO AotS and the UMA. The privilege of commanding the AotS itself for two years was the most satisfying of my time here in the Union Army.
Once again I find myself having to say goodbye to this fine group of officers. I have decided to retire the colors of the ‘Allegheny Blues” and have been assigned to the 3/3/I in the AotP part of the Pennsylvania Reserves and will call them “The Mckeesport Union Guard” in honor of Company I, 9th Pa Reserves (38th Pa Volunteer Infantry). So let’s have a last drink together and get on to our new assignments.”
Standing the general raises his glass.
“Gentlemen, to the Army of the Shenandoah !”
“I’m in the mood to reminiscence a bit and would welcome the company. It’s been 22 years since I entered the Academy about this time of the year. I’ve spent most of that time here with the AotS and have had the good fortune to serve with many fine officers. You’ll recall we were assigned to 1/2/XIX AotS, the first brigade mustered in that division and after we had cut our way through several rebel officers Gen. Sean Reynolds dubbed the ‘Allegheny Blues’ The Terrible Swift Sword. Then I was asked to form the 3/XIX and later had the privilege of forming the VIII Corps and commanding it for its first three years. In my opinion that was the best Corps in the Union Army and the original 2/VIII “Corcoran’s Legion” will probably never be equaled both for its individual and division battle honors as well as providing commanders at division, corps, and army levels. Gen. Walter would go on to be COA and Gen. Perrenod CO AotS and the UMA. The privilege of commanding the AotS itself for two years was the most satisfying of my time here in the Union Army.
Once again I find myself having to say goodbye to this fine group of officers. I have decided to retire the colors of the ‘Allegheny Blues” and have been assigned to the 3/3/I in the AotP part of the Pennsylvania Reserves and will call them “The Mckeesport Union Guard” in honor of Company I, 9th Pa Reserves (38th Pa Volunteer Infantry). So let’s have a last drink together and get on to our new assignments.”
Standing the general raises his glass.
“Gentlemen, to the Army of the Shenandoah !”